1. Focus  After World War I, the U.S. retreated back to a foreign policy of isolationism. There were many reasons, including the rejection of the League of Nations. In the 1930s, Neutrality laws were passed to maintain our isolation.

2. Why Return to Neutrality?  Many Americans were unsatisfied with the outcome of World War I  Against the League of Nations  Fearful of the destruction of war  Thought only the rich benefitted from the war  1928—Kellogg- Briand Pact

3. 1930s Isolationism  Isolationism (or the ‘America First’ movement) was very strong in the 1930s  Congress passed 4 Neutrality Laws (1935, 36, 37, 39)  Outlawed the sale of war materials to countries at war

4. Ignored the Signals of War  Americans do not want to be involved in foreign wars during the 1930s  Don’t think they have anything to do with the U.S.  Franklin Roosevelt believed that this was the wrong attitude  FDR believed the U.S. should be prepared  1931—Japan invades Manchuria  1933—Nazis take control of Germany  1937—Japan invades China  1938—Germans take the Sudentenland and Austria

5. Closing  In the 1930s, without knowing that World War II would happen, which stance would you have taken? Isolationism, or FDR’s stance of preparedness for the possibility of war? Why?